Spending money on flights just to meet EQD requirements, and angry about it
Sep 29, 2018, 9:43 pm
#31
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
That's just not the case, as I've already pointed out. I may be even mostly responsible for this, but near-monopoly businesses that have limited consumer choice play a role. Not looking at the big economic picture leads to less-desirable outcomes for both the industry and consumers. More competition among carriers is a good thing for everyone.
Each program sets their own rules as to what they believe is worth rewarding a loyal customer. As a consumer, getting status is entirely optional. In fact, as a high status flyer, you should actually be thankful for the EQD requirement because the popularity of mileage runs these days makes it very easy to get status on EQM alone under the old system. Less people at the high tier means more benefits and upgrades.
We all know AA has not been keeping up with competitors across the board in terms giving pax a comfortable experience regardless of status. Rather than blaming the government and regulations, the blame should be on AA or maybe you should consider switching to a different program as we see all the time here on FT.
Sep 30, 2018, 4:29 am
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
Sep 30, 2018, 5:05 am
#33
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
The problem is that people here on FT think elite status is the goal in and of itself. i.e. "chasing status".
Easy solution:
Fly what I want/need to fly. Accrue the EQM/EQD that comes with it. Achieve whatever level of status that results in. End of story.
No mileage running. No buying of more expensive fares. No buying-up to a status level. No becoming emotionally invested in an airline/program/CEO. No feelling I am entitled to anything beyond the published terms of the program or that airline "owes" me some special loyalty. No obsessing over it.
Easy solution:
Fly what I want/need to fly. Accrue the EQM/EQD that comes with it. Achieve whatever level of status that results in. End of story.
No mileage running. No buying of more expensive fares. No buying-up to a status level. No becoming emotionally invested in an airline/program/CEO. No feelling I am entitled to anything beyond the published terms of the program or that airline "owes" me some special loyalty. No obsessing over it.
Sep 30, 2018, 5:13 am
#34
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Newton Centre, MA, USA
Programs: DL 2MM Gold, AA Plat Pro; Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium (via SPG), IHG Plat
Posts: 2,192
Sep 30, 2018, 7:00 am
#35
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dallas/Orlando
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 2,716
Sep 30, 2018, 7:20 am
#36
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: IAD / DCA
Programs: AA EP, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, United Silver, Bonvoy Titanium.
Posts: 158
On a sheet of paper add up what benefits platinum ACTUALLY gives you verses gold. Are those worth $700 to you personally? For me they aren't so I (past two years had miles for Plat but about 1k short of EQD) didn't chase the next level. My wife is Plat pro and not worth about $1k EQD to get to EP. For some people it would be. If it is worth it just mileage run to Italy or somewhere in Europe on BA in premium economy. NYC and Miami are the best two cities for that run and it's about $750 out of pocket but you'll get far more award miles back than just upgrading a few flights to domestic F.
Regardless, this has nothing to do with a monopoly or any anti competitive business practices. AA doesn't owe anyone anything. We are only entitled for them to live up to the terms they outline.
Regardless, this has nothing to do with a monopoly or any anti competitive business practices. AA doesn't owe anyone anything. We are only entitled for them to live up to the terms they outline.
Sep 30, 2018, 7:51 am
#37
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
I spent the better part of a decade as EXP by buying frequent RT transcons for $ 249. I always got upgraded. I ate the food. I drank the booze. I enjoyed the SWU upgrades to far away places in J for the price of discount coach. AA gave me great service even though I was a very poor customer, financially speaking. It was a great run while it lasted.
Sep 30, 2018, 7:54 am
#38
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
They run their own loyalty programs, and the Ts & Cs allow them to make changes with sufficient notice. They are still a lot better than most of their counterparts in other countries.
Sep 30, 2018, 8:07 am
#39
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
Just to make an actual suggestion to the OP, did you look at the special fares thread and consider flying something on a special fare long-haul instead?
Sep 30, 2018, 8:12 am
#40
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 691
it takes a single J class transcon and J class TATL flight to make BA silver and get free Admirals club access, with no EQD requirement. yes, there is a zero chance of upgrade on AA, but it wouldn't be much higher as an AA PLT.
at this point, is there a downside to this?
at this point, is there a downside to this?
Sep 30, 2018, 8:28 am
#41
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
I have the opposite problem 
After 2 somewhat big international J trips this year on AA partner carriers, I'll have somewhere around 15k EQD (with the credit card bonus), yet only around 80k EQM. So I booked an international mileage run on AA, in PE. I'm not complaining, I found a decent deal, and was able to use an SWU for one of the over water legs so far, fingers (and toes) crossed for the return. I have plenty of Hilton points, so won't suffer once I'm there either. This trip will push me over that 100k barrier, and raise that EQD even higher.
There's still deals to be had. Certainly not the $300-400 runs to Europe, where a few of those gave you EXP. But if you look carefully, plan out your year in advance, you can get some decent vacations out of it...and enjoy business class on other carriers.
After 2 somewhat big international J trips this year on AA partner carriers, I'll have somewhere around 15k EQD (with the credit card bonus), yet only around 80k EQM. So I booked an international mileage run on AA, in PE. I'm not complaining, I found a decent deal, and was able to use an SWU for one of the over water legs so far, fingers (and toes) crossed for the return. I have plenty of Hilton points, so won't suffer once I'm there either. This trip will push me over that 100k barrier, and raise that EQD even higher.
There's still deals to be had. Certainly not the $300-400 runs to Europe, where a few of those gave you EXP. But if you look carefully, plan out your year in advance, you can get some decent vacations out of it...and enjoy business class on other carriers.
Sep 30, 2018, 8:49 am
#42
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Sep 30, 2018, 9:02 am
#44
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
This IS the result of anticompetitive practices and near-monopoly status: a company is able to get consumers to pay more but without corresponding improvements in the product or other competitors to go to. It’s bad for consumers and bad for the economy overall.